Spruce-up coming for Pohangina park
A Pohangina reserve once enjoyed by hundreds before it descended into a pastoral grazing block could soon be restored.
A plan for redevelopment work, funded by the Manawatu District Council, could soon reestablish the Pohangina Recreation Reserve as a hive of activity after a successful plea from residents.
The council will fund up to $5000 for a landscape and recreational plan to be undertaken by the village’s community committee.
The reserve was established in 1896, but ceased to be used for recreation over the next 120 years.
Early photos show several families attending events for picnics and watching competitions, such as wood chopping.
Committee chairwoman Liz Besley said the park was an important connection point for early residents.
A survey last year revealed the community sought improved recreational options within the reserve, rather than just pastoral grazing. Residents voiced preferences for more tree planting to sustain the landscape, walking tracks, toilets, an upgraded pavilion and a field for sport.
Besley said the nine-hectare reserve had been allowed to deteriorate until it was ploughed, re-sown and reconnected to the water supply in 2014. The park still had a way to go before it could welcome visitors, she said.
‘‘You would not know it was a reserve if it wasn’t for the sign and a dilapidated pavilion shed.
‘‘There is no obvious car park and the public would be reluctant to walk through an operational farm. The old cricket ground is not maintained and is grazed just like the pastoral land.
‘‘The last tree planting of any note dates back to the last millennium.’’
General manager of community and strategy Brent Limmer said the land was quite badly affected in the 2015 floods.
Councillor Phil Marsh raised concerns that other Manawatu villages would expect the same support.
He questioned whether the park’s redevelopment was a ‘‘need’’ or ‘‘urgent’’.
Cr Alison Short said the reserve was ‘‘quite a significant’’ piece of land.
‘‘I think we should assist them when we can.’’
The maintenance costs for the reserve would likely total $7000.